NCRIB @ 60: No Hiding Place For Uncertified Brokers, As NAICOM Supports Purging

By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos

As part of its activities to celebrate its 60th Anniversary, the Nigerian Council Of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) has revealed that the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has supported the Council’s plan to purge out uncertified insurance brokers from the system despite their registration with NAICOM.

The President of the Counci, Mr. Rotimi Edu made the revelation while giving his speech at a press conference for the commencement of the 60th anniversary activities Thursday in Lagos.

According to Edu, the image of the Insurance Broker is still being smeared by some members who are not Brokers by training and certification, but masquerade as one.

He said “Our Council is not folding its arms to watch these charlatans who flagrantly disobey the law mandating them to be registered with the NCRIB before licensing by NAICOM to practice.

“Good enough, we have been able to excise more commitment from the Commission under the indefatigable Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Sunday Thomas to support this purging. More than ever before, the Commission has been quite complimentary to our course and we are most delighted for this,” he said.
Also, he revealed that the Management of the Board has resolved to come out with Professional Seal of Practice to be used by all Registered Insurance Brokers as done in other proffession.

“These seals would be affixed to all stationaries and printed materials of our members as a distinctive emblem of professional service and excellence and making our documents admissible as evidence in the Courts of Law.”

“It is most heartwarming that this initiative has been overwhelmingly received and supported by the NAICOM through the CFI during our visit to the Commission in Abuja early this week.”

“With this renewed commitment, there would no longer be a hiding place for unethical players, for which we appreciate the CFI, Mr. Sunday Thomas and his team,” he said.

On deepening Insurance Penetration, he said that the Council is already ingeniously creating avenues through strategic engagements with notable governmental and non-governmental institutions to deepen the industry in the country.

“As I assured the Commissioner for Insurance during our visit, we would continue to support the Commission and other arms of the industry to achieve this purpose. In doing this, our Council is not averse to any initiative to drive awareness through technology, just as we would continue to advise our members to embrace shared services schemes in order to present a cohesive and formidable front for the overall benefit of the industry and our economy,” he said.

Speaking on the celebration, the Council has risen to the position of prominence amongst its peers nation-wide, producing 21 Presidents and about 500 Registered Members spread across the nooks and crannies of the country.

Highligting other activities, he said during the unveiling of the anniversary activities that there will be Insurance walk to promote insurance awareness and deepen penetration across the country, Institution of awards in schools to catch the future providers and consumers of insurance, Insurance open day for selected secondary schools, Corporate social responsibility, Sports competition that would focus more on table tennis, lawn tennis and other sporting activities, Presentation and launching of historical and membership compendium, Anniversary lecture and exhibition and Anniversary grand ball.

The event was graced by Doyen of Insurance, Olola Olabode Ogunlana, OFR; the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. O.S Thomas, President, African Insurance Organisation, Mr. Tope Smart, President of the CIIN, Chairman of the NIA, President of ILAN, and many other dignitaries, elders of the Industry and its revered Past Presidents.